Connect to DB

[Nate1]

Reading a Book that uses a class Method to connect to a DB But I Don't Know how to set it up?

What does this function Mean is this using a server ALias?
How do I Setup the DB?
I think its meant to use these Files But Ive never used this type of DB:
DB_Attach.bat
DB_Attach.sql
Halloween.mdf
Halloween_log.LDF

Private Shared Function Connection() As SqlConnection
Dim ConHalloween As New SqlConnection
Dim sConnectionString As String = "Data Source=Doug\VSDOTNET;" _
& "Initial Catalog=Halloween;Integrated Security=SSPI"
ConHalloween.ConnectionString = sConnectionString
Return ConHalloween
End Function

[lmf232s]

Halloween.mdf Well you can read about it here. This is what it likely is http://www.delphifaq.com/faq/f777.shtml

Halloween_log.LDF is some kind of a log file

DB_Attach.bat is a bat file. You should be able to open this with notepad and view its contents

DB_Attach.sql is most likely a script to create tables and or stored procedures, etc. You can also open this with notepad and view its contents. You would run that script (in my case) in say query analyser and it would create tables, etc.

That function is basically just a function that you can call to get your connection. IMO this function is not needed as you can put your Connection String in your web.config file.

Here is an example

Private Sub OpenSqlConnection()
    Dim connectionString As String = Connection()      

    Using connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)
        connection.Open()
    End Using
End Sub

Private Shared Function Connection() As SqlConnection
    Dim ConHalloween As New SqlConnection
    Dim sConnectionString As String = "Data Source=Doug\VSDOTNET;" _
    & "Initial Catalog=Halloween;Integrated Security=SSPI"
    ConHalloween.ConnectionString = sConnectionString
    Return ConHalloween
End Function

Putting this in your web.config file

<connectionStrings>
	<add name="oConn" connectionString="Data Source=Doug\VSDOTNET;Initial Catalog=Halloween;Integrated Security=SSPI"/>
</connectionStrings>

'You can then access it like this
Private Sub OpenSqlConnection()
    Dim connectionString As String = Configurationmanager.AppSettings("oConn").ToString()      

    Using connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)
        connection.Open()
    End Using
End Sub

[Nate1]

Yeah Opened them Up and they are SQL, BAT files.
The SQL script Reads the .mdf file and logs to the .ldf file.

I have downloaded MSDE 2000, How can I run this Script to create the Database, Will it Create an Access Database?

[lmf232s]

I believe the script is for an sql server database. Unless you have Access installed on your machine, nothing can create it for you.

You might be able to download mySQL which I belive is a free database by Microsoft. You might be able to use that sql script with mySQL but im not 100% sure on that.

The connection String above is creating a sql connection and if you use a different database other than (I think just) SQL server, youll have to create your connnection a different way (Instead of using sqlconnection i belive it might odbconnection or something similar).

[Nate1]

Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE) is a stripped back version of SQL Sever without some functionality.

If I was to use that script with SQL server how could I install it, presuming there is no GUI tools could I use the command line to run the Script.

Pretty Sure MYSQLs from a Swedish company, Think many opensource guys would vomit at that proposition.

[Nate1]

Ive figured it out, but not in the orthodox way, When I create a DB in Visual Studio it creates a .mdf and .ldf file in C:/program Files/SQL Server/MSSQl/Data

So I created a DB with the Same name and replaced the files, It registered the tables in VS now?

But would still be keen to figure out how its meant to be done.

[lmf232s]

lol, my bad on the mysql, yes it Swedish and not ms. A brain fart perhaps.

Seeing how I have only dealt with SQL Server and Oracle, I have never had to deal with these types of situations so Im at a lose for words.

But it sounds like you got it up and running.